My wife, Gale, would have been 58 this month.  We would have celebrated 34 years of marriage in August, and been on into our 35^th year together. She was my best friend and companion and probably, without question, the finest Christian I have ever known. 

Doctors discovered that Gale had lymphoma in 1992; by the fall of 1999 Gale had been carried by an angel into the waiting arms of Jesus.  I had begged God to heal her; I had held her in my thoughts and prayers during every waking moment. The earlier distractions of a workaholic husband had given way to a deep abiding companionship, that kept us through probably more than 30  hospital stays, too many surgeries to enumerate here, and issues and treatments that came about due to the illness that had ravaged her body.  All the while, Gale was able to clearly communicate, talk with me and our sons, pray, seek the Lord, love Him and us and be nearly everything she’d ever been, except for obvious physical limitations. 

Could it be that some of God’s unanswered prayers best express His wisdom? Could it be that God’s “no” spoken only in the realities of experience, best relay His heart?  Could it be that a “no” from God could indeed lead us more excellently into His plan and purpose? I couldn’t think so at the time. I could only see the desire for physical healing, restoration of our lives; a fully functioning, fully able companion to be the mother of our sons, the matriarch of our family; my friend with whom I could grow old. 

 But Jesus had different plans. He wanted to heal Galey completely and take her to Himself. Pain finally subsided to sorrow; sorrow to quiet gratitude; memories of specific medical issues have given way to gracious memories of the gentle soul who was my wife. The love we shared has only deepened over the ensuing 10 years since she’s been gone. My sons and I made a pilgrimage to the graveside this past October to spend some quality time and to remember.  We did so with joy in being together and with a very special love shared as we cried together at her grave. These were not tears for Galey--she is in a wonderful place with Jesus. These very simply were tears for the loss we still feel, missing her in our lives. 

I admit I have mellowed in the past decade and surrendered more;  I continue to have my eyes opened to the truth that I had pressed upon me throughout her time of illness--that I am not in control, Jesus is, and there are just some things that He won‘t let me “fix.”  I find the lessons from her life well-lived continue to impact me and my sons in ways we only grasp a bit at a time. It‘s like the leaves that fall from our Port Ludlow Maple trees--at a certain time, one by one, they gently fall to the ground. So, too, comes insight from the beauty of God’s work through Gale--her character and graciousness toward those she knew.  We were very simply most blessed to have loved her and been the recipients of her love.

 So you see, I have discovered a place where gratitude is what remains for our 24 years together.  I love Jesus more than I did when I met her; than I did when she passed away. And it’s not based on circumstances going my way. I’ve learned I’m not in control and certainly cannot fix everything that goes differently than I’d expected.

 And that’s how it is in life. Difficulties swirl all around us; lost jobs, underemployment, people who lack the resources for even daily necessities; loss of hope, illnesses, and enigma’s in life—all are present in our world. Yet, Jesus remains the One life-giving Hope; His death, burial, and resurrection proves to us that He is greater than all limitations, and greater than any enigma that comes our way. 

Christmas miracles? They still happen. They’re the ones that are found in the faces of those you love; in the wrinkles of age lines in the faces of those you are privileged to know as family; in the loving bright-eyed smiles of the babies and children you know and enjoy.  This Christmas, as we celebrate Jesus Himself, let us remember to celebrate the love He gives us to share together. 

 And, if you haven’t yet, ask Jesus to come into your heart and be your Lord and Savior. Surrender your life to Him—your days of joy and difficulties; your nights of loneliness or despair—whatever it is you are experiencing, Jesus will walk right there with you. He loves you and He will abide with you in your suffering and sorrows, your triumphs and joy. I urge you to call to your memory the good things He’s done; the good things He’s given; the blessed relationships you have with family and friends.  

Jesus truly is the GREATEST Christmas miracle.  And, next to Him—the friends and family with whom we share our lives.  

Merry Christmas from your friends at Grace Christian Center.

www.GraceChristianCenter.us